Privacy and electronic communications

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Your rights, responsibilities and obligations

The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations set out rules for people who wish to send you electronic direct marketing, for example, email and text messages.

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The basics

The sending of unsolicited direct marketing by phone, fax, email, text or any other electronic means is strictly regulated.

Your rights

You have the right to object to electronic marketing messages and can register with a statutory preference service if you don’t wish to receive sales calls or junk faxes.

Your legal obligations

If you wish to contact potential or existing customers with electronic marketing, you need to comply with the regulations.

Enforcement

The ICO has legal powers to ensure that organisations comply with the requirements of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Guidance

The ICO publishes detailed guidance notes that provide organisations and individuals with all the information they need about electronic marketing.

Legislation in full

Read the full text of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.

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